Chile Waste Management and Recycling

With a rising standard of living, Chile’s generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) has increased significantly in the last decade. According to the Chilean National Association of the Recycling Industry (ANIR), an estimated 17 million tons of waste is generated annually, which includes 6.5 million tons from households. ANIR estimates 10% of this waste is recycled. The recycling culture is very basic, mostly consisting of paper/cardboard, glass bottles, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and multilayer ‘tetrapak’ containers. Recycling centers for electronics, batteries, tires, plastics, metal, and printing cartridges are not easily accessible for Chileans.    

Under Chile’s circular economy strategy, the country hopes to achieve a circular economy through recycling, reduction, and reutilization of solid waste by 2040. Beginning in September 2023, the Chilean government is implementing the Extended Producer Responsibility Law (Law 20.920, or Ley REP). The law mandates manufacturers or importers recycle six basic products: oil & lubricants; electronic devices; industrial/vehicle batteries; small batteries; packaging materials and containers; and tires. Under Ley REP, manufacturers, producers, and importers of priority products are required to organize and finance the collection, disposal, reuse, or recycling of their marketed products in the country. The law also sets a target of 30 percent recycled waste in five years and establishes 12 waste collection and recovery goals. 

As a result of the new regulations and standards, there is an increasing demand for new environmental solutions, technologies, and recycling among the Chilean industry and population. There is demand for technologies related to new/green recycling systems and technical processes to produce value-added products from waste. The Ministry of the Environment recently started the implementation of Ley REP in Atacama, northern Chilean region where large mining activity takes place. Mining truck extra-large tires will be recycled by grinding and producing granules for asphalt. Local industry and importers will need to increase recycling and will promote investment in recycling plants, compacting services, transportation, and logistics.   

For further information, please contact Commercial Specialist marcelo.orellana@trade.gov.